Apparatus for filling and closing envelope-type containers



May 7, 1968 A. H. AsH E'rAL 3,381'447 APPHTUS FOR FILLIN AND CLKOSINGENVELOPE-TYPE CONTAINERS Filed March 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 1, 1968A. H. ASH ETA.. 3,3s1,441

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CLOSING ENVELOPE-TYPE CONTAINERS Filed March2, 1966 5 Sheets-She'et z FIG-2 May 7, 1968 A. H. ASH ETAL 3,381,447

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CLOSING ENVELOPE-TYPE CONTAINERS Filed March2, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG-10 '70 I /ao /ee 193' 182, m6 x l I /92FIG-11 ma United States Patent O APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CLOSINGENVELOPE-TYPE CONTAINERS Albert H. Ash, South Vienna, and Orville A.Morley,

Dayton, Ohio, assignors to McCall Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, acorporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 531,196

11 Clairns. (Cl. 53-188) This invention relates to an apparatus forhandling envelope-type containers, and more particularly, to anapparatus for inserting articles or materials and then tucking anextending flap down into the open end of the container.

The apparatus of the invention is particularly suited for a high volumeoperation and is adapted to receive a continuous flow of successivelyarranged folded paper sheets or similar material, insert the sheets intoenvelopes having a generally rectangular shaped flap extending from theopen end, and then tuck the flap down into the envelope for retainingthe contents. A typical application of the apparatus, and one which isused for purposes of illustrating the invention, is for the high-speedinserting of printed dressmaking patterns and instruction sheets intopaper envelopes and then closing the envelopes so that the patterns andsheets are eifectively retained there- Within. For convenience to thecustomer, it is desrable that the envelope be closed without sealing sothat it may later be opened and reclosed without tearing the envelope.

It is to be understood, however, that the apparatus according to theinvention has other applications. For

example, -the apparatus could 1be constructed to handle envelope-typecontainers of many different configurations simply by proportioning thesize of the components appropriately. Also, the apparatus could beconstructed with adjustable components in order to handle similar typeenvelopes of different sizes. Another particular application of theapparatus may be for handling bulk rate mail, where due to postalregulations or for economic reasons, the flap commonly is tucked intothe envelope rather than being sealed to the outside of the envelope byadhesive. While paper is most generally employed for envelope-typecontainers, it is, of course, recognized that the container could beformed from other materials, such as flexible plastic film or the like,and still be readily acceptable by the apparatus of the invention.

Accordingly, it is -a primary object of the invention to provide a novelapparatus for high-speed handling and closing of a flap-type envelopecontainer.

As another object, the present invention provides an apparatus forinserting sheet material or the like into envelope-type containers andthen closing -the same, and includes an indexing wheel member whichreceives an empty container at one station, quickly advances thecontainer to another station Where the material is inserted, then to astation where an extending flap is tucked into the container, and thenadvances to a further station where the container is removed from therotary member.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus adaptablefor receiving a high-speed flow of successively spaced packets or sheetsof material and inserting the packets individually into envelope-typecon- ICC tainers having a flap extending from an edge and to tuck theflap into the open end of the container while the opening is made toconform to a predetermined contignration.

An additional object is to provide a novel apparatus as outlined a-bovefor enlarging the open end of a relatively flexible envelope having aclosure flap and then tucking the flap into the opening to close theenvelope and retain the material within.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatusfor receiving a continuous flow of successively arranged sheets of paperor the like, insert the sheets into flexible envelope-type containershaving a flap extending from one side sheet, and then tuck the flap intothe container while the side sheet retaining the flap is heldsubstantially flat for easy folding of the flap and the opposite sidesheet is curved to provide for easy insertion of the flap.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an apparatus fornserting sheet material into an envelope, and including a feed devicefor increasing the speed of the material immediately before it entersthe envelope to overcome frictional resistance between the insidesurface of the envelope and to reduce the time for inserting.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus as outlined above,wherein the envelope is automatically pinched along its edges duringinsertion of both the sheet material and the flap to enlarge the openend and provide for insertion with less resistance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

In the drawings- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatusaccording to the invention and illustrates generally the feeding of theenvelopes and the sheet material which is inserted into the envelope;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic elevational end view looking at the rightend of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a typical envelope and sheets ofmaterial which are inserted into the envelope;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational section view of the indexing wheelmember showing its internal compartments adapted to be positioned at theseveral stations for the different operations performed lny theapparatus of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of a compartment positioned directlybelow the speed up rollers located at the top center station;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary detailed radial view of the wheel member in FIG.5 and showing the open end of a typical compartment Which receives andsupports an envelope;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the Wheel member as viewed along the line8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view in part section of a typicalcompartment within the wheel member;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view in part section showing thespeed up rollers and] movable guide chute mounted at the top centerstation as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the speed up rollers shown in FIG. 10, asviewed along the line 11-11 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view along the line 12-12 of FIG. 5 and showing theinserting or tucking members which fold the extending flap down into theenvelope-type container;

FIG. 13 is an elevational section view as would be seen in part viewedalong the line 13-13 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a view along the line 14-14 of FIG. 5 showing the operationof the corner tucking members.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the elevational view of FIG. 1 shows generally theoverall arrangement of the major components of the apparatus which aremounted on a base member 20 from which extends a frame member 22 forsupporting a vertically positioned mounting plate 24. A set of rollers25 are rotatably mounted on the plate 24 and extend on a horizontal axisfor guiding and driving an endless belt conveyor 27 which cooperateswith another endless belt conveyor 29 guided and driven by the set ofrollers 31 to feed a series of prearranged and successively spacedpackets or sheets of inserting material between the adjacent sections ofbelts as illustrated at 33. When the apparatus of the invention is usedin Conjunction with an automatic Collector and folder for dressmakingpatterns, the packets of material may include folded patterns or sheets34 (FIG. 4) and an instruction chart or sheet 35 both of which arefolded to such predetermined size for easy insertion into an envelope 36having a generally rectangular shaped flap 38 extending from one side.

Another endless belt conveyor 42 which is guided and driven by the setof rollers 43 is also mounted on the plate 24 and cooperates with afourth endless belt conveyor 44 guided and driven by the set of rollers47 to receive a sheet 35 (FIG. 4) fed from the feeding mechanism 50which successively feeds the bottom sheet from a stack supportedthereon. In conjunction with the folded patterns 34, the sheet 35 maytypically be a guide or sew chart which is provided with the patterns toserve as instructions for using them. It is to be understood, however,that while a packet of folded patterns 34 and instruction sheet 35 isemployed herein for illustrating the operation of the apparatusaccording to the invention, the apparatus could be easily set for usewith other packets and/or sheets of materials.

The feeding mechanism 50 for the instruction sheet 35 is preferablyoperated |by a chain drive 55 from a horizontally extending drive shaft57 which is driven by a suitable drive means 59 (FIG. 2) in timedrelationship with the operation of the pattern folding machine supplyingthe successively spaced folded patterns 34. The drive shaft 57 isnormally driven at a constant speed and thus serves to drive the endlessbelt conveyors 27, 29, 42 and 44 at a constant rate by a suitablepositive drive arrangement (not shown). Furthermore, the constantoperation of the feed mechanism 50 by the drive shaft 57 also feeds theinstruction sheets 35 at a uniform successive rate into and between theconveyors 42 and 44 Where the belts are spaced adjacent to one anotheras shown at 60. The instruction sheet 35 is then fed over the guideplate 62 where it joins with the folded patterns 34 in the convergingzone 64. The patterns 34 and instruction sheet 35 are then carriedtogether side by side between the adjacent sections of the conveyorbelts 27 and 44 and are distributed downwardly between the end guiderollers 66.

Another feed mechanism 70 is mounted on the plate 24 and is providedwith a constant drive from the shaft 57 by chain drive 72. The feedmechanism 70 which is substantially the same as the feed mechanism 50 isadapted to feed the |bottom envelope 36 from a stack in a uniformsuccessively spaced relationship into and between the endless beltconveyor 74 and 75 guided and driven by the sets of rollers 77 and 78,respectively.

Referring to the plan view of FIG. 2, a chain drive 79 powers the inputshaft 81 of the gear box 33 from which extends two output shafts 84 and85. The constant rotation of the input shaft 81 provides a uniformindexing rotary output on the shaft 84 causing the shaft to index inincrements of 45. A shaft extension 86 is rotatably supported in a framemember 87 and a pair of hub members 88 are mounted on the shaftextension 86 to support a drum or wheel member 90 which is driventhrough a suitable Couplng 92 Connecting the shaft extension 86 to theoutput shaft 84. The wheel member 90 is provided with a series of eightuniformly spaced and radially extending compartments 95 which areadapted to be advanced uniformly and progressively positioned at each ofthe five Operating stations A through E (FIG. 5).

A typical compartment 95 is shown in FIGS. 6-9, and is defined at theouter periphery of the wheel member 90 by a pair of spaced apart guideblocks or members 97 and 98 which are rigidly mounted on their ends tothe Circular side plates 101 and 102 (FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 7, theguide block 98 is provided with a generally radially extending curvedsurface 104 and a top surface 106 (FIG. 9) having a central portionspaced inwardly below the end portions. A passageway 109 (FIG. 7) isprovided within the block member 98 and is connected by a series ofports 111 with the surface 104. The passageway 109 and ports 111 areconnected to a suction Chamber 113 (FIG. 8) formed within the arcuateshaped bland member 115 (FIG. 1) which engages the outer peripheral sidesurface of the Circular side plate 102 of the wheel member 90, as shownin FIG. 1.

A suction is provided within the chamber 113 by a conduit 117 leading toa suitable suction source (not shown). Preferably, the side plates 101and 102, blocks 97 and 98 and stationary gland member 115 are formedfrom a plastie material such as nylon which provides for low frietionbetween the sliding outer surface of the plate 102 and the gland .member115. Furthermore, the plastic material is desirable for the entireconstruction of the wheel member 90 -to minimize its Weight and reduceits inertia and thus enable more rapid indexing with lower powerrequirements and less wear on the support bean'ngs. Each of the guideblock |members 97 is provided with a fiat radial surfa-ce 119 and apassage 120 and ports 121 which are also in fluid Communication with thesuction chamber 113.

A pair of pinch members 125 are pivotaly mounted between the ends of theblock members 97 and 98 and are adapted to pivot about the pins 127(FIG. 8) extending through the side guide plates 129 and *130 (FIG. 6).The opposing surfaces of the pinch members 125 are provided with aV-shaped configuration 132 and a narrow longitudinally extending slot135. The upper end-s of the pinch members 125 are normally bi-ased apartby the compression Springs 138 (FIG. 8) carried within the side plates101 and 102 radially inwardly of the pins 127 and engaging the innerends of the pinch members. Mounted axially within the side plates 101and 102 are a pair of aligned actuating pins 140 which Iare adapted topivot the pinch members '125 when the outer ends of the pins 140- engagecorrespon-ding arcuate cam members 142 (FIGS. 1 and 18) ri-gidly mountedon the frame 87. As a result of length of the cam members 142, the outerends of the pinch ymembers 125 are moved Close together during therotation of the corresponding compartment through the stations B, C andD (FIG. 5).

Connecting the inner edge portions of the compartment guide plates 129and 130 (FIG. 6) are a pair of V-shaped bottom support members 145 whichare spaced apart to define an open space 148 therebetween. OperableWithin the space 148, as shown in FIG. 8, are a pair of discharge orejecting members 150 which are pivotally mounted on pins 152 extendingthrough the inner Corners of the side plates 129 and 130. Eachdischar-ge member 150 includes a U-shaped wire y154 (FIG. 6) the ends ofwhich are carried within a Swinging block member 155 .(FIG. 8). Movementof the discharge members 150 is controlled by the axially extending pins157 slidably mounted within the side plates 101 and 102. The ends of thepins 157 are adapted to engage a cam member 159 (FIGS. 1 and 8) mountedon the inside of the frame member 87 -at station E and thereby cause thewires 154 to push radially outwardly against the bottom edge of acontainer 36.

In operation, an envelope 36 is fed by the endless conveyor belts 74 and75 at station A into a compartment 95 within the wheel member 90 withthe flap extendinlg radially outwardly as shown in FIG. 5. The envelopeis orientated so that the flap extends from the leading side of thecompartment so that the flap can be simply folded at a subsequentstation by the advancement of the wheel member 90.

The wheel member is then indexed 45 by the indexing gear box 93 (FIGS. 2and 3) until the compartment is positioned at the top center station B.However, during the movement of the compartment from station A tostation B, the Suction gland member 115 (FIG. 7) introduces a Suctioninto -the passages 109 and 120 causing the upper side portion of theenvelope to be pulled against the surfaces 104 and 119 of .the blockmembers 90 and 97, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7, the surface 119 isessentially flat so (that the flap can be easily folded. On the otherhand, the surface 104 is provided with a uniform curve so that theopposite side of the envelope is held in such a position to provide themaximum area at the open end of the envelope. To assistant the Suctionwithin the ports 111 and 121, the cam members 142 (FIGS. 1 and 8) arepositioned -to cause the pinch members 125 to press against the edges ofthe envelope thereby causing the sides of the envelope to bulge andconform to the flat and curved inner surfaces of the respective blockmembers 97 and 98.

When the compartment reaches station B, the enclosed envelope 36 ispositioned so that its open end is provided with a maximum open area. Atthis station, the packet of folded patterns 34 and instruction sheet 35is fed into the envelope from between the conveyor belts 44 and 27through the .speed up rollers 165 and 166 (FIG. 5) which are adapted torun continuously at a substantially faster speed than the belts 27 and44. It has been found that the speed up rollers 165 and '166 aredesirable to assure that the packet is completely inserted into the opencontainer retained Within a compartment positioned at station B.Otherwise, the friction between the insert material and the inside ofthe container can sometimes result in a portion of the mtaerialextending beyond the periphery of the wheel member.

As shown in FIGS. and 11, the speed up rollers 165 and 166 are adaptedto be adjustably spaced in relation to one another to accommodatepackets or other materials of different thickness. This is accomplishedby drive pulley 175 mounted on shaft 168 which is rotatably mounted inthe frame member 170 by a belt drive system 172 (FIG. 3) connectin-g theshaft 168 (FIG. 11) to the motor 177 (FIG. 3). The shaft 180 Whichcarries the speed up roller 166 is driven through a gear train 182 (FIG.6). This drive system enables the speed up roller 166 to be adjustablypositioned by adjusting a pair of spacing screws 184 which position :apair of bearing support blocks 186 supporting the shaft 180. A pair ofcompression springs 188 are spaced between the support blocks 186 andthe frame member 170 to bias the support blocks 136 against theadjusting screws 184. Furthermore, the springs 133 enable the speed uproller 166 to move backward slightly, as for example, if the insertmaterial had not been properly folded or creased which resulted in athickness greater than normal.

Positioned directly under the speed up rollers 165 and 166 is a guidechute 190 (FIG. 6) which is rotatably supported by the shaft 192 and thestub shaft 193 (FIG. 10)

mounted on the frame 170. The ends of the shafts 192 and 193 are rigidlyconnected to the guide chute 190, as for example, by spot welding at194. As shown in FIG. 10, the end portions 195 of the guide chute 190are formed at right angles to the main portion 196 and are converging toserve as a guide for the folded patterns 34 and instruction sheet 35 asthey are directed into the envelope 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the guidechute 190 is positioned to serve tas .a counterpart of the envelope flap38 and is positioned substantially adjacent the oluter periphery of thewheel member 90 during insertion of the materials 34 and 35. Thus, thechute 190 must be rotated clockwise during each indexing movement of thewheel member 90 so that it does not interfere with the envelope flap 38.For this movement, mounted on the outer end of the shaft 192 (FIG. 10)is a lever 197 which is actuated through an adjustable link 199 (FIG. l)connecting the lever 197 to a control arm 201 whi-ch is operated by ashaft 202 (FIG. 12) and .a connecting cam and follower mechanism (notshown) mounted within the housing 204 (FIG. 3) and driven by the driveshaft 206. A chain drive 208 (FIG. 2) connects with the end of the driveshaft 206 to the output shaft 210 of an .auxiliary gear box 212 drivenby the output shaft of the gear 'box 33 through a coupling 214.

When the wheel member is indexed another 45 the compartment moves fromstation B to C (FIG. 5). I-Iowever, during the movement of thecompartment from station B to C, the outwardly extending flap of theenvelope 36 engages the plate 216 which serves to fold the fiap 90 sothat it lies substantially tangential to the wheel member 90 directlyunder the end portion 218 of the plate 216. The upper end of the plate216 is mounted rigidly on a shaft 220 rotatably supported within the fframe 87 (FIG. 12) and on the shaft is mounted an actuating arm 222extending horizontally therefrom.

Mounted on the frame 37 (FIG. 5) is a control switch 225 which isoperated in response to the movement of the arm 222 as shown in FIG. 5.By this arrangement, the pivotal support of the plate 216 and the arm222 provide a safety control, if for example, an envelope 36 is notcompletely inserted within a compartment at station A or the insertmaterial such as the folded patterns 34 were not completely insertedwithin the envelope 36 at station B. That is., the portion extendingbeyond the periphery of the wheel member 90 Would engage the slopingportion of the plate 216 causing it to rotate counterclockwise therebylifting the arm 222 and .actuating the switch 225. The switch 225 servesto control the main power supply of the drive shaft 57 (FIG. 1) andthus, serves to stop the entire operation of the apparatus.

Formed within the end portion 213 of the guide plate 216 (FIG. 12) are apair of slots 220 through which operate a pair of long tucking fingersor members 230 which are rigidly mounted on a shaft 232 rotatablysupported by the frame 87. These tucking members 230 serve to engage thecentral portion of the flap when the shaft 232 is rotated in order totuck the flap down into the envelope 36 as shown in FIG. 13. The shaft232 is rotated in timed relationship through a suitable cam and followersystem (not shown) located within the housing 204 (FIG. 2) .and drivenby the shaft 206. Spaced adjacent to the outside surfaces of the longtucking members 230 carried by the shaft 232 are a pair of short tuckingfingers or members 235 which are free to rotate on the shaft 232 but arelimited in their movement relative to the members 230 by the pins 237(FIG. 12) extending through corresponding slots 238 formed within theouter side of the shorter tucking members 235.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, the outward ends of the pins 237 areconnected by tension Springs 240 to the upper ends of pins 242 rigdlymounted in the ends of the short tucking members 235. This relativ'emovement between the short tucking members 235 and the long tuckingassrirz members 230 is desirable to enable the flap to be completelyinserted within the envelope 36.

The wheel member 90 is indexed another 45 so that the compartment movesfrom station C to station D. At station D, a pair of corner tuckingmembers 250 are rotatably carried by the shafts 252 to move in ahorizontal plane as shown in FIGS. and 14 from the normally retractedposition shown by the dotted lines to the fully extending position wherethe leading corners 254 of the members 250 serve to wipe the corners ofthe flap down into the envelope and thereby assure that the flap is notfolded or creased. This synchronous movement or rotation of the cornertucking members 250 is provided by a gear train 256 (FIGS. 5 and 14)which is driven through the gear box 258 connected (not shown) to thedrive shaft 206.

The envelope with the material inserted therein and the fiap completelytucked down into the open end is then transferred from station D to Ewhere the discharge or ejecting members 150 (FIG. 8) are actuated by thepins 157 engaging the inner surface of the cam blocks 159. This causesthe wire member 154 to move into the opening 148 to engage the bottomedge of the envelope or container 36. In this manner, the envelope isejected radially outwardly and downwardly into the space between thedischarge roller 266) which is driven continuously by suitable drivemeans (not shown). Slightly before a compartment arrives at station Ethe suction to the passages 199 and 129 is cut off due to the end of thegland member 115 (F-IG. 1), and also the outer ends of the pinch members125 are separated as a result of the Stopping of the cam members 142(FIG. 1). Thus, the envelope 36 can be ejected swiftly at station E withminimum friction and resistance. The continuously running dischargeroller 260 then conveys the filled and closed envelope onto acontinuously Operating cndless conveyor belt 263 (FIG. 1) between thetop surface of the belt and the pressure roller 265 so that thesuccessively fed envelopes can be collected and distributed as desired.

It can be seen that from the drawings and the above clescription, thatthe apparatus according to the present invenion provides severaldistinct features and advantages. For example, by providing a rotaryindexing wheel member having a plurality of radially extendingcompartments, a separate operation is performed at each station where acompartment dwells momentarily. Thus summarizing, an empty enevlope isinserted into a compartent at station A, the contents are inserted intothe envelope at station B, the extending flap is tucked into the openend at station C, the corners of the flaps are wiped flat into theenvelope at station D and the closed enevelope is ejected or dischargedat station E. This sequence has been found to provide high speed .anddependable operation which enables the handling of over 150 envelopesper minute.

Also, the suction means for holding apart the open end portion of anenvelope while the pinch members are pressing against the edges of theenvelope serve to assure that the operation at each station is performedcompletely and dependably. Furthermore, to assure that the wheel member90 indexes quickly and accurately, as mentioned above, it is preferredthat the movable components of the wheel member be formed from a lightweight plastic material having a low coet'ficient of friction.

In addition to the above features it has been found that the speed uprollers 165 and 166 are exceedingly helpful in assuring that the foldedpatterns, which are usually made from an extremely light weight papermaterial, and the instruction sheet 35 are completely inserted into theenvelope at station B. Without the speed up rollers, it has been foundthat the friction between the inside surface of the envelope and theoutside surface of the patterns sometimes prevents the completeinsertion of the material and thus is an operation which is notdependable.

Another feature which is provided by the rotating drum or wheel 90 isthat the compartments 95 are positioned -radially with the materialinserted and discharged into the compartments in a radial direction.This construction cooperates with the rapid indexing of the Wheel memberto assure that the material inserted within the envelope is heldradially outwardly by centrifugal force so that when the flap is tuckedinto the open end of the envelope, the insert material is confinedbetween the underneath side of the flap and the adjacent side Wall ofthe envelope, as shown in FIG. 13. Furthermore, the rotary movement ofthe radially extending compartments assures that neither the envelopenor the material within the envelope will not be shifted from side toside and thus also helps to provide for smooth operation of theapparatus.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention whichis defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for receiving and closing an envelope-type container havingside sheets defining an open end and a flap extending therefrom,comprising a rotatably mounted wheel member having a plurality ofperipherally spaced compartments, means for rotating said wheel memberso that each compartment is positioned in a successive manner at aplurality of Operating stations, feed means located at a feed stationfor supplying a container to each said compartment with the open end andfiap positioned near the periphery of said Wheel member, means forspacing apart the side sheets of each container adjacent the open end,tucker means positioned at a tucking station for folding the flap intothe open end while the side sheets are spaced apart, and means forremoving the container from each said compartment at a dischargestation.

.2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for spacing apartthe side sheets of each container include means for applying a Suctionto said side sheets, and means for releasing said suction at saiddischarge station providing for removal of the container from each saidcompartment.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a pair of spaced apartpinch members in each compartment, and means for moving said pinchmembers toward each other simultaneously with the operation of saidSuction means to assure said open end conforms to the configuration ofsaid compartment.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said wheel memer ispositioned on a horizontal axis, a suction gland in slidable relativecontact with said wheel member for providing Suction adjacent theoutward open end of each said compartment for spacing apart the sidesheets of the container near the open end, and including rotary tuckermeans positioned at said tucking station.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including drive means for rotatablyindexing said wheel member so that each said compartment dwellsmomentarily at each said operating station, a pair of corner tuckingmembers movably supported at a second tucking station for assuring thatthe corners of the flap are completely tucked in after the main portionof the fiap is inserted by said rotary tucker means, and said means forremoving the container from each said compartment being positioned belowthe axis of said wheel member and free of said Suction.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including second feed means locatedat a second feed station and adapted to supply and to insert materialinto said container while the side sheets are spaced apart and said flapextends outwardly.

'7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including a pair of spaced apartpinch members positioned in each said compartment, and means for movingsaid pinch members to- Ward each other to engage the edges of thecontainer for cooperating with said suction means to shape the open endof the container into a predetermined configuration for readilyreceiving said insert material.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including means for rotatablyindexing said Wheel member to cause each compartment to dwellmomentarily at each said station, and Wherein said wheel member isformed from a light Weight plastic material for reducing the inertia ofsaid Wheel member during indexing.

9. Apparatus as defined in clam 6 including accelerating means forquickly inserting the material into the container to overcome resistancedue to friction.

10. Apparatus as defined in clam 6 including guide chute meanspositioned at said second feed station, and means for rotating saidchute means to provide clearance for the flap when the wheel member isrotating.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 277,133 5/1883 Hill 53-1871,421,835 7/1922 Russ 53-188 X 1,477,198 12/1923 Wainwright 53-188TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner. R. L. SPRUILL, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING AND CLOSING AN ENVELOPE-TYPE CONTAINER HAVINGSIDE SHEETS DEFINING AN OPEN END AND A FLAP EXTENDING THEREFROM,COMPRISING A ROTATABLY MOUNTED WHEEL MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OFPERIPHERALLY SPACED COMPARTMENTS, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID WHEEL MEMBERSO THAT EACH COMPARTMENT IS POSITIONED IN A SUCCESSIVE MANNER AT APLURALITY OF OPERATING STATIONS, FEED MEANS LOCATED AT A FEED STATIONFOR SUPPLYING A CONTAINER TO EACH SAID COMPARTMENT WITH THE OPEN END ANDFLAP POSITIONED NEAR THE PERIPHERY OF SAID WHEEL MEMBER, MEANS FORSPACING APART THE SIDE SHEETS OF EACH CONTAINER ADJACENT THE OPEN END,TUCKER MEANS POSITIONED AT A TUCKING STATION FOR FOLDING THE FLAP INTOTHE OPEN END WHILE THE SIDE SHEETS ARE SPACED APART, AND MEANS FORREMOVING THE CONTAINER FROM EACH SAID COMPARTMENT AT A DISCHARGESTATION.